Chase Equestrian at Chase Meadow Lane

12/10/2024

Merry Christmas! Will this be YOU?

Christmas greetings to All from Thelwell

12/06/2024

12/02/2024

12/02/2024

Your Horse's Lumps & Bumps

11/29/2024

Gymnastic Lines---A discussion

One definition---there are no doubt others---“A gymnastic line is a series of fences set at predetermined distances to attempt to obtain predetermined results.”

For example, you might start with something as basic as trotting poles, roughly 4 ½ feet apart, A trotting bounce will be around 9-10 feet for an average horse. A trotting one stride will be 18-19 feet for an average horse, a two stride might be 29-33 feet.

So you might set a bounce to a one stride to a one stride to a two stride, and the distances might be 9-18-19-31, or something like that. You have to watch what is happening and adjust accordingly.
The biggest problem with using gymnastic lines is that setting them up and adjusting them is a LOT of work, constant measuring, hauling standards and rails, changing, resetting, and so forth.

The way someone gets confident with doing all of this? You have to LIVE in a jumping arena. You must know distances. You must have an accurate stride. You must be watchful. You can totally mess up a horse if you get it wrong---You can even cause a wreck. So if you want to become a good fence setter, you must make a commitment, and if you are not willing to become educated, leave it to those who know more than you.

A slightly shorter interior distance might get a horse to land, rock back, and get his front end up faster, whereas a longer distance doesn’t challenge the use of his his knees as much. You just have to live it to learn it, A few will, but many won’t. that simple.

11/17/2024

10/04/2024

Our show is fast approaching! Come join us for a fun day of riding and cider-sipping as we kick off the fall season.

Pre-registration closes in one week!

https://forms.gle/1URknWKn7zbe7g1a9

10/04/2024

Very proud of this CML alumni, Lauren Handley! Support her Horse Show this weekend

🌟 Shoutout to Lauren at GB's Stable! 🌟

We can't say enough about the incredible work Lauren is doing at the barn.

As the point of contact for all our vets, she's built an amazing relationship with Thompson and Associates Equine Medicine, ensuring top-notch care for our horses. We are proud that they are a trusted partner, thanks to her careful management!

Not only does Lauren excel in managing these relationships, but she's also a powerhouse in every aspect of stable management. She dedicates a third of her riding time to her personal development, which is a perfect example of the balance she brings to everything. By the end of 2025, she plans to dive deeper into her own continuing education, and implement a robust calendar of social events to bring our community closer together.

Her ability to diagnose equine issues has saved countless boarders time, stress, and money, especially with the reduced incidence of colic from improved diets. Her staff is equally amazing—punctual, knowledgeable, and loved by everyone at the barn. No drama, just unity and support all around, thanks to her leadership.

Lauren's strengths shine through every day—her balance, professionalism, and presence create a calm and thriving environment. Her growing lesson program is a testament to her dedication, and she’s always focused on helping clients grow alongside their horses. We’re so lucky to have her on the team! 💪🐴 WE LOVE YOU LAUREN!

09/28/2024

World Cup rider Melanie Smith Taylor is one of only two riders to ever win the “Triple Crown of Show Jumping.” She is the only rider to win the American Invitational, the International Jumping Derby and the American Gold Cup on the same horse, Calypso who is shown with her in the photo.

09/26/2024

The great Mark Todd at Badminton in 1986. And yes, you had to jump that big vertical at the bottom of the slide!

09/24/2024

All I Want To Do Is Jump

I ran a fairly large lesson program for almost 20 years. This is a statement I have heard over and over, both in my lesson barn days and from colleagues today.

All I want to do is jump.

There are a few problems with this. Let's start with the horse. I love the old horseman's saying " horses only have so many jumps in them ". Is that 100, 1000 before it becomes lame.... No one knows....but horses certainly weigh a lot and the concussion landing on those small little legs is significant. Horses also get bored, burned out....and let's face it...sour.
Respect for the horse . The riders job is to do the best thing for the horse. Most horses only need jumped a few days a week. That means if a lesson horse works 5 days a week, only 2 of those are jumping days. 3 of those are purely flatwork or hacking.

Riders : most of jumping well has NOTHING to do with jumping. Riders need to work on pace, transitions, straightness, their position, effectiveness of aids, balance, ability to change positions smoothly ( from 2 point to sitting etc ) and so much more.

So if you are one of those students who Just Wants To Jump , please replace that with "I want to be an effective rider and horseman or woman . I want to do what is best for the horse "

And instructors who cave to this plea from students
Only YOU can set the CULTURE of your barn. Talk frequently about horsemanship and doing right by the animals.